Is tank on hardwood floors a bad idea?

Dragonsteeth · #1 04-30-2007, 07:36 PM

I have my 33g on hwf with the load spread on 1.5" sp per leg. I have felt on the footings and i much prefer this to being on carpet. I can easily slide my stand around (gently) so that i can get behind etc. My floors are Oak. Just spread the load as much as possible.

bassman · #2 04-30-2007, 09:07 PM

I am also moving to a house with hardwood floors and I am planning on placing my 55 gal and stand on a thick rubber mat. This will protect the wood floors from denting, scratching and water damage. If water were to get under your stand and into the hardwood it could easily rot the wood and cause some warping. Better safe then sorry.

dr_chee · #3 04-30-2007, 09:09 PM

I also have a rubber mat that I placed under the tank with a lip that curves upwards. So far so good.

04scoobysti · #4 04-30-2007, 09:57 PM

Yea, but if you put that rubber mat under the tank and you spill any water around the tank it will be stuck between the rubber and the hardwood till the wood absorbs it and wrecks your floor. Best bet are usiing those felt pads or other pads to rasie the tank off the floor a little and preventing it from being scratched. My 2cents. I have 2 tanks both on hardwood and am not too worriend about it. Also, having leveling legs on a stand would be a good idea too, since the floor may not be perfectly level.

Dragonsteeth · #5 05-01-2007, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04scoobysti

Yea, but if you put that rubber mat under the tank and you spill any water around the tank it will be stuck between the rubber and the hardwood till the wood absorbs it and wrecks your floor. Best bet are usiing those felt pads or other pads to rasie the tank off the floor a little and preventing it from being scratched. My 2cents. I have 2 tanks both on hardwood and am not too worriend about it. Also, having leveling legs on a stand would be a good idea too, since the floor may not be perfectly level.

For the same reason i am glad my 33g is on felt as i had a hose leak and alot of water hit the deck. I slid the tank over and dried up the mess, then put it back. The rubber pad may prevent you from drying up which will definately affect your floor. My 1 cent worth. Good luck!

adidas · #6 05-01-2007, 12:48 AM

water and humidity and hardwood floors don't mix very well.

mark · #7 05-01-2007, 01:51 AM

In my old place had the 75g direct on the HW with no problems. Stand had four adjustable feet each probably no more than 1.5" diameter and didn't leave a depression when I moved it after 3+ years.

I didn't place a mat as was more concerned that if I had a spill the water would be trapped. This came partly as when I moved into the house it had carpet throughout, with the original maple HW underneath. When I stripped the carpet there was an area by the door of the bathroom where the wood was warped, so thinking better if wet to dry right away.

Fish tank aside, have split water, beer, juice, milk, had pee etc. on the wood (wondering my lifestyle eh?), with no damage as cleaned up immediately.

Johnny Reefer · #8 05-01-2007, 01:54 AM

What about laminate floors? Anyone ever have any problem with water seaping in through the seams?

Thanx much,

rattler · #9 05-01-2007, 02:56 AM

Mark,
I had a cheap counter top water cooler that held five gallon jugs in my kitchen. Last year the valve started to leak on my laminate floor. Upon noticing the water spill I removed said cooler, cursing myself for buying a cheap one, and lifted the carpet that was under that spot. The laminate was warped at the edges where the water could penetrate the seams. The floors were only 6 months old at the time and I thought I was pooched, as replacing boards mid way through the floor does not look very easy. It went on my honey-do list. Lucky for me after the area dried out for a month (the list doesn't get done quickly around here) the floors were flat again. I would think that the construction of the floors sawdust and glue that they would not stand up to too much moisture. Having thrown away the cooler I now find out that it was just a mineral build up on the valve that is easily cleaned, grrrrr!

Geoff

fishoholic · #10 05-03-2007, 05:17 AM

We had a 65g tank & stand on our laminate floors for a year. We just upgraded to a 120g and when we moved the 65g the was no damage done to the laminate floors.